Manufacturing continues to rise

Manufacturing continues to rise

10 June 2014

The total manufacturing sales volume rose for the third consecutive quarter, Statistics New Zealand said today.

After adjusting for seasonal effects, the volume of total manufacturing sales rose 0.5 percent in the March 2014 quarter, led by rises in chemical and petroleum related industries.

"This quarter's rise occurred despite a relatively flat quarter for meat and dairy product manufacturing," business indicators manager Neil Kelly said.

Meat and dairy product manufacturing was up just 0.1 percent following a large rise in the December 2013 quarter.

"Rises in the chemical and petroleum industries more than offset falls in a number of the other industries," Mr Kelly said.

The sales volume for total manufacturing, excluding meat and dairy, was up 0.7 percent in the March 2014 quarter. While overall sales increased, sales for seven of the 12 manufacturing industries in this group fell.

The main industry movements were:
• chemical, polymer, and rubber product manufacturing, up 8.5 percent
• petroleum and coal product manufacturing, up 5.8 percent.

The trend for the total manufacturing sales volume, which gives a longer-term picture of movements, is rising – following a low point in the June 2013 quarter.

In current prices, the total manufacturing sales value rose 0.6 percent ($155 million).

For more information about these statistics:

• Visit Economic Survey of Manufacturing: March 2014 quarter
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